Integrated Computational Materials Engineering and Modelling of Shape Casting Processes - Needs, Benefits, Limitations and Hurdles

In this paper, the industrial needs and potential benefits of ICME for shape castings are described from the point of view of a commercial provider of casting process simulation tools. At the same time, the paper addresses the challenges, limitations, and hurdles regarding the extent to which ICME is or can be adopted on an industrial scale for shape cast components. The discussion is backed by concrete examples illustrating the advantages and limitations of integrating models and simulation in the design chain of cast components, in the design and analysis of the processing route of a casting, as well as over the different length scales through which the structures and corresponding behaviorof the cast material are determined. The biggest impact of the ICME approach will only be apparent when the increased accuracy or level of detail provided by the methodology is truly necessary, because it leads to changes in design decisions for the product or manufacturing process.